Downs Solicitors LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘Downs are a friendly and skilful team. They have a particularly strong corporate and commercial team, working well with clients and collaborating with other advisers. They communicate complex legal documents well with clients, showing a good appreciation of the real world and commercial realities. They have always delivered high-quality work and excellent customer service.’

‘I work predominantly with Richard Clapham who works very well with all clients, is efficient and experienced in advising business clients on complex legal areas.’

‘The team are highly commercial with a sound understanding of small and mid-market businesses and the challenges they face. They have excellent communication skills, are very personable and always put their clients’ interests first.’

‘Julian Harvey has outstanding people and communication skills. He is an excellent negotiator. He is very approachable and highly skilled with a friendly and calm demeanour. He has fantastic legal and technical knowledge and is able explain complex legal issues in plain English so that the client has a full understanding of the issue. Emily MacNiven is an outstanding young professional solicitor. She has knowledge and people skills beyond her years and solid technical ability. She puts clients at ease. She also has excellent negotiation skills and is very well organised.’

‘Julian Harvey is a very prompt and easy-going partner. He takes the time to discuss the issue with you and is very likeable and personable as an individual. He delegates to the team well and we have had a fantastic experience with him, and the company and they have supported our clients fantastically, even at short notice.’

‘The firm really punches above its weight, has the breadth and depth of legal skills and experience that would be expected from a much larger practice.’

‘Their partner accessibility and responsiveness is where they stand out as they are able and willing to take calls or deal rapidly with ad-hoc queries in an efficient manner. Access to experienced partners is not always readily available with other firms. I would have to namecheck Julian Harvey as an outstanding partner, have not come across a better commercial lawyer.’

‘The team understand the need to listen and clarify the objective of any process. This is key to ensuring that we do not waste time but also enables them to engage and discuss the pros and cons of different approaches. Julian Harvey is a clear guiding hand and ensures that culture and approach is maintained. Charmaine Dudman provides a practical and highly responsive service to our commercial requirements, with an understanding that there needs to be a pragmatic as well as legal position when trading.’

‘The team are extremely professional, knowledgeable, approachable and prompt. When dealing with very sensitive or urgent employment matters it is imperative you have a reliable and professional law firm to assist. There is always a warm, friendly and calming logical voice when you need one at Downs. It is an absolute pleasure working with their team.’

‘David Seal, Heather Love and Elizabeth Barrett always go the extra mile. Nothing is ever too much trouble, they will always ensure you are comfortable with the advice they have given before leaving you to implement or pursue the process.’

‘I deal with various departments within Downs both professionally and personally and have received an exemplary service throughout. The most remarkable aspect is the diversity throughout the company and the calm and professional approach to all legal matters it exudes. It’s as though there is a Downs mold of excellence as standard, and this ethos is carried from top to bottom of the organisation and throughout all disciplines.’

‘Every employee stands out to me for. Their dedication and performance of service towards their clients is great. They adopt a can-do attitude providing just the right amount of support needed and pinpointing the issues through careful consideration from the outset. Outstanding individuals include Heather Love and Elizabeth Barrett.’

‘Heather Love is our main contact. Heather is always quick to respond to my emails. Heather is also happy to discuss issues, approaches and options for resolution over the phone and has learned and retained a lot of information about our company. It’s this personal service that makes Downs Solicitors stand out.’

‘The department are very keen to understand your needs and how your business runs so that they can give advice and assist in the most efficient way possible. Heather Love is fantastic on every count. She always takes her time to listen and fully understand what it is you need and want to be doing. Heather is friendly, helpful and clearly knows her stuff!’

‘A local firm with the expertise and clout of a national player. A very personal service from highly professional lawyers. David Seals is always available for advice and expert guidance. Highly approachable and genuine people.’

‘Downs have a large number of specialists, so you can be confident that the person you are dealing with is very experienced.’

‘Chris Millar is a very experienced litigator who goes out of his way to avoid litigation where possible. Extremely practical and a great communicator.’

‘A small competent team who provide a very personal service.’

‘They provide a very high quality professional service. The partners have great experience in all areas of law. I always find their advice not just technically correct but pragmatic too.’

‘Chris Millar thinks outside the box, and comes up with pragmatic solutions to problems. He is highly experienced in all areas of corporate and personal insolvency. He has been responsible for building a very strong team.’

‘Downs punch well above their weight. They combine many of the best bits of a regional firm with those a boutique City firm.’

‘Martin Steer is excellent. Robust, commercial, brilliant with clients and strong on both the substantive and procedural law. Despite these strengths, he is not a backseat driver; he knows when to delegate and is always sensible in the way he treats advice. Just a great lawyer to have on your team.’

‘Chris Millar is a very experienced lawyer whose knowledge of the substantive law is in a different league to many of his rivals. His good humour and relaxed manner works wonders in managing client expectations.’